Meet Mary Allen, a writer at The Right Hairstyles Magazine with a passion for the artistry of hair, who first joined our editorial team in January 2022. With a keen eye for trends in haircutting and coloring techniques, Mary Allen explores the diverse spectrum of beauty, ensuring that her articles resonate with women from all walks of life.
Read full bio Editorial guidelinesNot only soft locs hairstyles are a practical choice for natural hair, but they also are the flyest protective style for those wishing to stand out. From extra long free-flowing locs to intricately twisted updos and half-up ponytails, you get many styling options to express yourself and showcase your individuality.
Softer and thinner than regular faux locs, soft locs protect your curls from weather-related damage, promoting healthy hair growth. Being a no-commitment hairstyle, locs can be a good choice for a special occasion, which is guaranteed to make all eyes on you. Besides, you can wear them just for fun or as an experiment for up to 6 weeks, if you decide to try something new and uncommon.
While there are many different hairstyles you can try, we’ve come up with a list of 20 ideas of the best ways to style soft locs. Check them out and discover a fashionista inside of you to bring this protective style to life with your stylist!
Well-kept and neat, soft locs can be styled in many different ways, one of which is this gorgeous half-up ponytail. You can start by dividing your hair into small square sections and then create thin, flat twists, crocheting pre-made soft locs into them. Gather half of your hair in a ponytail on the top of your head, except for a few fringe locs, and leave the rest to flow freely.
Starting as passion twists, these medium soft locs exude femininity and dynamic, perfect for expressing your positivity and charisma. Part them to the side if you want to frame your face and balance a high forehead.
The beauty of locs styles is that you can experiment with different lengths and colors, thanks to the wrapping technique. For this particular look, make sure your natural strands are thick enough to establish extra long locs, as they might break off without a strong foundation.
For this creative pin-up hairstyle, section your natural hair as desired and wrap it with crochet faux locs. Collect the locs in a big high bun and leave some strands at the front to twist them and create a beautiful face frame.
Golden blonde spring twists will instantly transform your look, making you a stylish boho girl everyone admires. Subtle spirals, peeking out between the locs, create playful movement on your head, adding points to your charming allure.
Butterfly locs are a dashing protective style that looks delightful even when locs get messy, so we don’t see a reason not to love them! Maintain this boho-chic style with hair oil and sleep on a silk pillowcase to minimize the amount of moisture drawn out of your natural hair.
Although soft locs work great for natural curls, protecting them from environmental damage, they require a special hair care routine. For example, you would need to be very gentle when washing your locs and shampoo the scalp only, rinsing the shaft of the lock without manipulating it.
Chunky twists will give your hair an instant volume boost and bounciness, whether center-parted or side-swept. Yet, they won’t last as long as small locs, so you might need to re-twist your hair to enjoy this style for one more week.
If you aim for something wild and captivating, try these waist-length locs with loose ends. Wrap your natural strands with synthetic hair, starting from the roots, and leave the ends untouched, additionally curling them for more definition. Spritz the locs with water and oil mix to replenish the moisture taken away by synthetic extensions.
If you’re already experimenting with locs styles, go all in and try the colorful ones, crafting this instant stunner. And the length, overthink it carefully, as you will need to take care of those super long locs. Yet, the result is undoubtedly worth it!
To recreate this style, you can turn your micro braids into locs, wrapping them tightly with crochet hair. Elevate the look with an elegant crown created by twisting the locs taken at the front around your nape.
Unlike dreadlocks, kinky twists don’t get greasy quickly, so you can enjoy their neaty appearance for longer. Besides, you can always collect your locs in a charming updo or half-up style, so that your hair looks stunning even when not freshly washed.
Apart from looking stylish and eye-catching, these light mocca locs will make your dark skin tone glow, and without the need to dye your black hair. The implemented soft locs give you the freedom to experiment with your hairstyles while finding your signature look. A half-up ponytail is a great option to start with.
For those with thinner hair types, we suggest shorter hairstyles, such as this twisted bob. While reducing the tension to your natural curls, short soft locs may look the same as charming and fashionable. Not to say you still can try different styling by switching the partings.
While twists hairstyles are still on top of their popularity, we offer you to take this hairstyle further and extend your hair with soft locs. If your hair’s density allows you to try extreme hair lengths, don’t waste a chance to come up with this exceptionally gorgeous style ending at your chest. Make it half-up half-down by picking half of your locks up in a dimensional ponytail.
For this intricate and eye-catching style, you need to create scalp braids first, which will be weaved further with crochet hair. Take extensions of different colors if you want to make it multicolored. Also, leave some locs to frame your face while the rest are gathered in a high pony, as this will add you playful vibes.
To repeat this hairdo, get soft locs and style half of them in a high pony on the very top of your head and another half loose. Locs will keep the shape of your natural strands, making this hairstyle perfectly held in place. Or, you can ask for Senegalese twists, which look similar but smoother than locs.
This style may look undone, but it can take the stylist up to six hours to create it. However, once you attach the soft locs to your natural waves, you will instantly forget about such a long wait as it’s worth the effort. Loose wavy ends make locs look very natural and enhance their volume, resulting in a relaxed yet fancy appearance.
If you want to take your natural hair out of your face, this is your must-try style for the next hair appointment. Twist your locs towards the back of your head for a slick back effect and apply some hair creme to give them this smooth and glossy appearance.
Soft locs are very manageable, allowing you to craft any hairdo you want with them, for example, this one-of-a-kind flowery style with fringe locs. For rose petals, make petal-like loops with your locs, bring them together in a high bun, and fix them with hairpins. Finish with a strong-hold hairspray.
With these styles, you will exude the main character energy, so get ready for people to compliment you wherever you go!
Enter your email to get this picture to your inbox, and get other ideas you might like 💌